Well, 2013 is rapidly coming to a close, and this is the time we typically think about the major events of the year — events that shaped our lives.

It’s easy to remember the obvious ones. The chaotic sign-up process for Obamacare. The wrath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. My inability to find anything redeeming in Miley Cyrus.

But enough of that. Several major things occurred this year in the world of business — events that created what we in the industry would call a “sea change.” And since we’re talking sea change, I’m going to describe everything from here on out in nautical terms.

First off, the House and Senate listed sharply to the port and starboard before reaching a last-minute budget deal to avoid the dreaded “fiscal cliff.” President Barack Obama was inaugurated for a second term, and the U.S. Justice Department got a firm grip on the tiller when it OK’d an agreement for American Airlines and U.S. Airways to merge.

Those were just some of the things people will remember when they look back at 2013. But I would argue that the temporary absence of Hostess Twinkies — and their triumphant return on July 15 of this year — had a more profound effect on the average consumer.

Like many of my brethren business editors, I spent countless days standing sadly in front of my neighborhood supermarket in the wake of Hostess’ May 4, 2012, bankruptcy. I was waiting for a sign — a sign that those tiny, golden sponge cakes would come back. My life was bereft of purpose.

Finally, I could take it no more. So I quit my job and became a merchant seaman, frequenting the seedy docks of Liverpool, Bristol and Long Beach. Before long, I was getting into drunken brawls and bellowing sea shanties wherever I went. This went on for, oh, five or six days. Finally, I regained some of my footing. My life was moving forward again. More importantly, I was one with the sea.

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But as time went on, I realized that something was missing — Twinkies. So I returned to my work as a business editor and waited patiently. And on July 15 they returned, packing a modest 135 calories and a longer shelf life of 45 days, far surpassing their previous shelf life of 26 days.

But who’s counting?

So there you have it. Twinkies do indeed have a profound effect on consumer habits. A virtual marketing tsunami, you might say.

And let’s not forget about the Twinkie defense. That term came from San Francisco journalist Herb Caen’s description of the trial of Dan White, who was convicted in the fatal shootings of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and city Supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978.

In nautical terms, those were rough waters to navigate. But I’m firmly convinced that Twinkies have played a big part in all of our lives. So as we bid farewell to 2013, let us be thankful that the high tide rolled in once again and returned our Twinkies.